delta1(10),5-19-nor-androstadienes and process therefor



United States Patent 24 Claims. in. 260- 397.4)

In the above formulas R and R represent hydrogen or an acyl radical of less than 12 carbon atoms, and X and X represent hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical (alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl) of less than 8 carbon atoms.

The acyl groups above referred to are derived from hydrocarbon carboxylic acids containing less than 12 carbon atoms which may be saturated or unsaturated, of straight, branched, cyclic or cyclic-aliphatic chain, aromatic and may be substituted by functional groups such as hydroxy, alkoxy containing up to carbon atoms, acyloxy containing up to 12 carbon atoms, nitro, amino or halogen. Typical ester groups are the acetate, propionate, .enanthate, benzoate, trimethylacetate, t-butylacetate, phenoxyacetate, cyclopentylpropionate, aminoacetate, and B-chloropropionate.

The novel compound object of the present invention are potent anabolic agents with a favorable anabolicandrogenic ratio. They also have estrogenic, antigonadotrophic and anti-fibrillatory properties, lower the blood cholesterol level and inhibit the activity of the pituitary gland.

These compounds are also useful as intermediates for the synthesis of ring A aromatic and l9-nor steroids.

The process for the production of A -19-nor steroids, which is one of the objects of the present invention is represented by the following sequence of reactions:

I II

3,258,472 Patented June 28, 1966 ice In the preceding formulas X has the same meaning as heretofore indicated; R represents an acyl radical of less than 12 carbon atoms; Q represents an acyloxy group or a keto group (androstane series) protected in the starting materials by'the formation of cycloalkylenedioxy derivative; an acetyl group protected in the starting materials as the cycloalkylenedioxy derivatives (pregnane series), the dihydroxy acetone side chain protected by formation of the bismethylenedioxy derivatives or the sapogenin side chain.

In the pregnane derivatives, R represents hydrogen, hydroxy or an acyloxy radical; R represents hydrogen, tX-l'l'lCthYl, fi-methyl, a-hydroxy or a-acyloxy; R and R together represent the grouping 0 wherein A represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl radical and B represents a lower alkyl, aryl or aralkyl radical of up to 8 carbon atoms.

The starting materials (I) are obtained by oxidation of a 3-acyloxy-l9-hydroxy-A -compound with chromium trioxide in pyridine in accordance with the method described in our eopending application Serial No. 293,891, filed July 9, 1963.

By reaction of a 3-acyloxy-A )-19-nor-6-keto steroid (I) with a double metal hydride, preferably with lithium aluminum hydride in tetrahydrofurane solution at reflux temperature, the acyloxy group at (3-3 issaponified and the keto group reduced, thus affording the 3,6-dihydroxy compounds (mixture of 6oz and 613 isomers) (II, X=.H).

Alternatively, if said starting materials are reacted with an alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl magnesium halide, at reflux temperature and for a period of time in the order of 2 to 6 hours, a hydrocarbon radical is introduced at C6 and the acyloxy group at C-3 is saponified simultaneously, thus yielding the 3,6-dihydroxy-6-alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl derivatives (mixture of 6a, and 6B isomers) (II, X=alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl).

This transformation may also be achieved by using an alkyl lithium r the sodium or potassium salt of a lower alkine, by methods well known in the art.

By treatment of the A -3,6-dihydroxy compounds (II) with a proton donor, preferably with an acid, such as aqueous acetic acid, using preferentially 50% acetic acid, for a period of time of between 30 minutes and 4 hours, there are produced the 3-hydroXy-A -19-norandrostadienes and pregnadienes (III). When the starting materials used possess an alkylenedioxy group at C- 17 or 0-29, this group is also hydrolyzed, to afford the respective C-l7 or C-20 keto derivatives.

Alternatively, a. strong acid may be used instead of aqueous acetic acid, such as for example hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, perchloric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid,

trichloroacetic acid, etc., in a solvent inert to the reaction at room temperature for a period of time in the order of 10 minutes to 5 hours.

Adequate solvents for this reaction are diethylether,

isopropylether, tetrahydrofurane, dioxane, Dowanol, etc., in general, any ethereal solvent.

As examples of suitable starting materials for the process object of the present invention there are the diacetate of A -l9-nor-androstene-3p,17fi-diol-6-one; 3-acetoxyl7 ethylenedioxy-A -l9-nor-androsten-6-one; 3-acetoxy 2O-ethylenedioxy-A -19-nor-pregnen-6-one; 3- acetoxy 20-ethylenedioxy-A -l9-nor-pregnen-17a-ol 6-one; 3,17-diacetoxy-2O-ethylenedioxy-A -19-nor-pregnen-6-one; 16a-methyl-3-acetoxy-20-ethylenedioxy-A 19-nor-pregnen-6-one; 16,3-methyl-3-acetoxy-20-ethylenedioxy-A -l9-nor-pregnen-6-one; 16a-methyl-3-acetoxy- 20-ethylenedioxy-A -l9-nor-pregnen-17a-ol-6-one; 16B- methyl 3-acetoxye20-ethylenedioxyA -19-nor-pregnen- 17oz ol-6-one; 16a,l7a-isopropylidenedioxy-20-ethylene dioxy-3-acetoxy-A -19-nor-pregnen-6-one; 17,20;20,2lbismethylenedioxy 3 acetoxy-A -19-nor-pregnen-6- one; 17,20;20,2l bismethylenedioxy-3-acetoxy-A -19- nor-pregnen-l lfi-ol-6-one; 17,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxy- 3 acetoxy-A -19-nor-pregnen-6,1l-dione; IGa-methyl- 17,20:20,21 bismethylenedioxy-3-acetoxy-A -19-norpregnen 6-one and 16/3-methyl-17,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-3-acetoxyA -19-nor-pregnen-6-one.

The novel A -19-nor-androstadienes object of the present invention are obtained by the method illustrated by the following sequence of reactions:

o on AcO i R0 IV vn t l 0 W5 I I no i no v I vr no X X oru i 0H as m m0 no IX VIII l a i om i 011 N5 tn X XI l; 1E

In the above formulas R and X have the meaning hereinbefore indicated, R represents an acyl radical of less than 12 carbon atoms, and X represents a lower alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl radical.

In practicing the process illustrated above, 3-acetoxy- 17-ethylenedioxy-A -19-nor androsten-6-one (IV), is reduced with a double metal hydride, preferably with lithium aluminum hydride in tetrahydrofurane solution to give rise to the 17-ethylenedioxy A -]9-nor-androstene-3B,6-diol (mixture of 60a and Gil-isomers) (V; X=H).

By reaction of the starting compound (IV) with an alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl magnesium halide, with an alkyl lithium or with a sodium or potassium salt of an alkine, as indicated in detail herein-before, there are obtained the 6-alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl substituted derivatives of 17-ethylenedioxy-A -l9-nor-androstene-35,6-diol (V; X=alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl).

Upon acid treatment of the foregoing diols (V), such as for example by heating with 50% acetic acid for a period of time of between minutes and 4 hours or with a strong acid, such as for example hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, perchloric acid, or p-toluenesulfonic acid in an ether solvent such as for example diethylether, isolar compounds.

propylether, dioxane, tetrahydrofurane, Dowanol, and the like, at room temperature and for a period of time of the order of 10 minutes to 4 hours, there are obtained the 3-hydroxy-l7-keto-A -l9-nor-androstadienes (VI; R=H), i.e., A -19-nor-androstadiene-3/3-ol-17-one, 6 methyl A 19 nor-androstadien-Ilfi-ol-17-one, 6- ethyl A 19-nor-androstadien-3 3-ol-17-one, 6-vinyl- A l9 nor androstadien 3/3 ol-l7-one, 6-ethinyl- A -19-nor-androstadien-3/8-ol-l7-one, and other simi- By treatment of these compounds with carboxylic acid anhydrides of less than 12 carbon atoms in pyridine solution, in a conventional manner, there are obtained the respective esters (VI; R=acyl).

By reduction of the 3-hydroxy-17-keto-A -l9-norandrostadienes with a double metal hydride, such as for example sodium borohydride, in aqueous methanol solution there are obtained A -l9-nor-androstadiene- 3,8,l7fi-diol and the 6-a1kyl, alkenyl or alkinyl substituted derivatives thereof, (VII; R=H), which are converted into the corresponding diesters by conventional treatment with acid anhydrides or chlorides of less than 12 carbon atoms in pyridine solution (VII; R=acyl).

By reaction of the 3-hydr0xy-17-keto-A -19-norandrostadienes (VI; R=H) with an alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl magnesium halide, such as for example with methyl, ethyl, vinyl, ethinyl or propargyl magnesium bromide, there are obtained the 7ct-alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl substituted derivatives (VIII). The introduction of the hydrocarbon substituents at C-170L may be alternatively achieved by using an alkyl lithium or the sodium or potassium salt of a lower alkine.

Treatment of the foregoing compounds (VIII) With carboxylic acid anhydrides of less than 12 carbon atoms in benzene solution and in the presence of an acid catalyst, such as p-toluenesulfonic acid yields the 3-17- diesters (IX), which upon selected hydrolysis, preferably by reaction with potassium carbonate or dilute potassium hydroxide in methanol solution, at low temperature, give I rise to the 17-monoesters (X).

The esterification of the compounds represented by VIII with acid anhydrides or chlorides of the type hereinbefore indicated, in pyridine and at room temperature, produce the 3-monoesters (XI).

There may be obtained compounds esterified at C-3 and C-l7 by different carboxylic acids, by reesterification of (X) in pyridine solution, or by reesterification of (XI) in benzene solution and in the presence of ptoluenesulfonic acid.

The novel A -19-nor-androstadiene-3fi,17,8-diol and its 6-substituted derivatives (VIII, R=H) may also be obtained from the diacetate of A -19-nor androstene- 3fi,l7fi-di01-6-One by reduction with lithium aluminum anhydride or treatment with an alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl magnesium halide followed by acid treatment.

The following examples serve to illustrate the present invention but are not intended to limit its scope.

PREPARATION l 'A mixture of 5 g. of the 3-acetate of A -androstene- 3/3,19-diol-l7-one, 75 cc. of 2-methyl, 2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolane and 200 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid was heated to boiling and refluxed with distillation for 1 hour. The mixture was cooled, diluted with water, extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic extract washed to neutral, dried and evaporated to dryness. Crystallization from acetone-hexane afi'orded 3-acetoxy-17-ethylenedioxy-A androsten-19-ol.

A solution of 5 g. of the preceding compound in 60 cc. of pyridine was added to a mixture of 5 g. of chromium trioxide in 60 cc. of pyridine. The reaction mixture was kept at room temperature for one week. At the end of this time it was diluted with ethyl acetate, filtered through celite and the filtrate was washed well with water, and evaporated to dryness. Crystallization from acetone hexane produced 3-acet-oxy 17 ethylenedioxy- A -l9-nor-androsten-6-one.

In the same manner, starting from the 3-monoacetate of A -pregnene-3fi,19-diol-20-one, 3-monoacetate of 16amethyl-A -pregnene-3fl,19-diol-20-or1e, 3 monoacetate of 16a,17a-is0propylidenedioxy-A -pregnene-36,19 diol 20- one and the 3,17-diacetate of A -pregnene-3/3,l7u,19-triol- 20-one there were obtained as final products: 3-acetoxy- 20-ethylenedioxy-A -19-nor-pregnen-6-one, 16a-methyl- 3-acetoxy-20-ethylenedioxy-A -19-nor-pregnen 6 one, 16a,17u-isopropylidenedioxy-3-acetoxy-20-ethylene-dioxy- A -19-nor-pregnen-6-one and 3,l7-diacetoxy-20-ethyl enedioxy-A -19-nor-pregnen-6-one. I

Example I A solution of 5 g. of the diacetate of -A -19-norandrostene-3,B,17,8-diol-6-one in 150 cc. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added over a 30 minutes period to a stirred suspension of 3 g. of lithium aluminum hydride in 150 cc. of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. The mixture was refluxed for 2 hours, cooled and carefully treated with 15 cc. of ethyl acetate and cc. of water. Solid sodium sulfate was added, the inorganic material filtered off and washed several times With hot ethyl acetate. The combined organic solutions were evaporated to dryness to produce A -l9-nor-androstene-3fi,6,17B-triol (mixture of 60a and 6fi-isomers), which was used for the next step without further purification.

A mixture of 4.5 g. of the foregoing crude triol and 100 cc. of 50% acetic acid was heated on the steam bath for 30 minutes, poured into water and the formed precipitate collected by filtration, thus obtaining A -l9-norandrostadiene-Bfl,17 8-diol.

Example II In accordance with the method described in the preceding example, 5 g. of 3-lacetoxy-l7-ethylenedioxy-A -19- nor-androsten-G-one were reduced with lithium aluminum hydride and the 3,6-diol thus obtained treated with 50% aqueous acetic acid (3 hours on the steam bath) to produce A -l9-nor-androstadiene-3[3-01-17-one.

to approximately 10 cc. under vacuo, and poured into water. The formed precipitate was separated by filtration and carefully washed with water. Crystallization from acetone gave A -19-nor-androstadiene 3,18,17,63 diol, identical to that obtained in Example I.

Example IV The preceding example was repeated but using dioxane as solvent, to afford the same product in similar yield.

Example V Example VI The preceding example was repeated but using Dowanol as solvent, to produce also A -19-n0r-androstadien- 3,6-ol-l7-one.

Example VII To a solution of 1 g. of A -19-nor-androstene-3p,6, 17B-triol in cc. of, dioxane there were added 0.2 cc. of 72% perchloric acid and the mixture kept for 30 minutes at room temperature; it was diluted with water and extracted with methylene chloride, the organic extract was washed with water, 5% sodium bicarbonate solution and water to neutral, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The residue was crystallized from acetone hexane, to produce A 19-nor-androstadiene-3/3,17fi-diol, identical to that ob tained in the foregoing examples.

Example VIII A solution of 1 g.. of 17-ethylenedioxy-A -l9-norandrostene-3B,6-diol in cc. of ether was treated with A mixture of 1 g. of the foregoing compound, 4 cc. 7

Example III A solution of 3 g. of A -19-nor-androstene-3B,6,17ptriol in 60 cc. of tetrahydrofuran and 7 cc. of an 8% aqueous sulfuric acid solution was kept at room temperature for 40 minutes. It was then neutralized with a saturated solution of sodium carbonate, concentrated 50 cc. of a saturated solution of perchloric acid in ether, and the mixture kept at room temperature for 30 minutes. The solution was then washed with 5% sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness.

Addition of ether gave A -19-nor-androstadien-3fiol=17-one.

Example IX A solutionof 2 g. of A -19-nor-androstadien-3,6- ol-17-one in 100 cc. of benzene, thiophene-free was treated with 12 cc. of 4 N methyl magnesium bromide in ether, and the mixture refluxed for 3 hours with the exclusion of moisture. The cooled mixture was carefully treated with an excess of an aqueous ammonium chloride solution and the product isolated by extraction with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness.

Crystallization from methylene chloridehexane g ave 17a-methyl-A -19-nor-androstadiene-313,17fi-diol.

In a similar manner but using ethyl, propyl, vinyl and ethinyl magnesium bromide instead of methyl magnesium bromide there were obtained 17a-ethyl-A -19-norandrostadiene-3fi,17fi diol, 17a propyl-A -19-norandrostadiene 3/3,17B diol, 17a-vinyl-A -19'-no1-an drostadiene-3fi,17fi-diol and 17a-ethinyl-A -19-nor-androstadiene-3B,17,B-diol.

Example X In accordance with the method described in the preceding example, 5 g. of 3-acetoxy-l7-ethylenedioxy-A 19-nor-androsten-6-one were treated with methyl mag- 8 Example XV In accordance with method described in Example III, the compounds below mentioned (I) were treated with the indicated Grignard reagents, to produce the respective 17(1-SubStltUt6d derivatives:

I Reagent G-ethiny1-A -19-nor-androstadien-3fl-ol-17-one 6-ethyl-A -19-nor-androstadien-3 3-ol-17-one 6-vil1yl-A -19 nor-androstadie113Bol-17-one fi-propargyl-A -l9-n0r-androstadien-3fl-ol-l7-one B-ethinyl-A -19-nor-androstadien-3fl-ol-17-one Methyl magnesium bromide.

Vinyl-m agnesium bromide. Ethylunagnesiuln bromide" Methyl magnesium bromlde.

Ethinyl magnesium bromide..

sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. Crystallization from acetone-hexane gave 6-methyl-A -19-norandrostadien-3 8-ol-17-one.

Example XI The foregoing compound was treated with methyl, ethyl and vinyl magnesium bromide, to produce respectively: 6,17a dimethyl A -19-nor-androstadiene-3f3, 17,8 diol, 6 methyl-17a-ethyl-A -19-nor-androstadiene 318,175 diol, and 6-methyl-l7a-vinyl-A -19-norandrostadiene-3p,17/8-diol.

Example XII Example XIII By following the method described in the preceding example, 1 g. of 3-acetoxy-17-ethylenedioxy-A -19- nor-androsten-6-one was converted into 17-ethylenedioxy- 6-ethinyl-A -19-nor-androstene-3,8,6-diol.

The foregoing compound was treated with hydrochloric acid in dioxane solution, in accordance with the method described in Example X, to produce 6-ethinyl-A 19-nor-androstadien-3B-ol-17-one.

Example XIV Example X was repeated but using ethyl, vinyl and propargyl magnesium bromide, thus producing as final products 6-ethyl-A -19-nor-androstadien-3B-ol-17-one, 6 -vi ny1- A -19-nor-androstadien3;3-ol-17-one and 6 propargyl-A -19-nor-androstadien-3,B-ol-17-one.

Example XVI To a solution of 2 g. of 6-methyl-A -19-no-r-androstadien-3p-ol-17-one in cc. of methanol there was added 1 g. of sodium borohydride dissolved in 4 cc. of water. The mixture was kept at room temperature overnight, the excess of reagent was decomposed by the addition of acetic acid, and the resulting solution was concentrated to a small volume under vacuo and diluted with water. The product was extracted with ethyl acetate, the extract was washed with water, dried and evaporated to dryness. Crystallization of the resi due from acetonehexane gave 6-methyl-A -19-norandrostadiene-3fi,17 3-di0l.

In the same manner, starting from the respective 17- keto compounds there were obtained 6-ethinyl-A 19 nor-androstadiene-3fl,17p-diol, 6-ethyl-A -19-norandnostadiene-3p,17fi-diol, 6-vinyl-A -19-nor-androstadien=e-3,8,17B-diol and 6-propargyl-A -l9-nor-androstadiene-3B,175-diol.

Example XVII A mixture of 1 g. of 6-methy1-A -19-nor-androstadiene-3,8,17B-diol, 4 cc. of pyridine and 4 cc. of acetic anhydride was allowed to stand at room temperature overnight, poured into water and the formed precipitate collected by filtration; crystallization from acetone-ether gave the diacetate of 6-methyl-A -19-nor-androstadiene-3,8,17fi-diol in pure form.

By the same method, 6-ethinyl-A -19-nor-androstadiene 35,175 diol, 6-vinyl-A -19-nor-androstadiene- 313,175 diol, 6-ethyl-A -19-nor-androstadiene-3;3,-17p?- diol, and A -19'-nor-androstadiene-3fl,17,3-diol were converted into the respective diacetates.

Example XVIII In accordance with the method described in the preceding example, the compounds below mentioned (I) were esterified with the indicated acid anhydride, to produce the corresponding diesters or monoesters (II).

I Anhydride A 0 -19-nor-androstadiene-3B, 17B-diol G-methyl-A -l9-nor-androstadiene-3fl,17B-dio1 fi-ethyl-A fl -19-nor-androstadiene-3fi,17fldio1 fi-vinyl-A -l9-nor-androstadiene-lifl,l7fl-dio1 B-ethinyl-A -19-nor-androstadiene-3B,17fi-diol Propiqnie Caprore Enanthie Undecenoie Oyclopentyl-propionie.

Dipropionate of A100) -19-nor-androstadiene-3p3,17fl-di0l. Diieaproate of G-methyLA fl -19-nor-androstadiene-3fl,17B-

Dieyclopentylpropionate of G-ethinyI-A O -19-n0r-andr0stadiene-3fl,17B-diol.

G-prOpargyI-A -19-nor-androstadiene-3B,17fl-diol Caproic Diiearluoate of propargyl-A fl -19-nor-androstadiene-iyp, 7B-

Am" -19-nor-androstadien-3fi-ol-l7-one Oaproie Caproate of A100) -19-nor-andr0stadien-3fi-ol-17-one.

G-methyl-A -19-nor-androstad1en-3fi-01-17-o Propionic. Propionate of 6-methyl-A -19-nor-andr0stadien-Hfl-ol-17- one.

G-ethinyl-A -19-11or-androstadien-Hfl-ol-l7-0ne- Acetic- Acetate of G-ethinyl-AK -19-n0r-androstadien-3fl-0L17-one,

G-ethyl-A -19-nor-andr0stad1en-3B-ol-l7-one Oyelopentyl propionic. Oycloperiitylpropionate of 6-ethyl-A -19-nor-andr0stadien- 3 -one.

fi-vinyl-A -19-nor-androstadien-3fl-ol-l7-one Enanthie Enanthate of fi-vinyl-A -19-nor-andr0stadien-3fl-ol-17- one.

G-propargyl-A 19-11or-androstadien-3fl-0l-17-one Acetic Acetate of G-propargyl-A -19-11or-androstadien-Hfi-ol-H- one Example XX To a solution of 1 g. of 17a-methyl-A -l9-norandrostadiene-Sfi,l7fi-diol in 40 cc. of anhydrous benzene there were added 200 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid and 4 cc. of acetic anhydride, and the mixture was kept at room temperature for 24 hours. It was then poured into ice water and the resulting mixture stirred to effect hydrolysis of the excess anhydride. The benzene layer was separated and washed with 10% sodium carbonate 10 Example XXIII To a solution of 2 g. of the diacetate of 17a-methy1- A -l9-nor-androstadiene-3fi,17fi-diol in 100 cc. of methanol there was added 500 mg. of potassium carbonate dissolved in 10 cc. of water and the mixture was allowed to stand for 1 hour at C., neutralized with acetic acid and the methanol was distilled under reduced pressure. The residue was triturated with water, the solid was filtered off, washed with water, dried and recrystallized from ethyl-acetate-methanol, thus producing the l7-monoacetate of 17amethyl-A -l9-nor-androstadiene-3fi, 17fl-diol.

Example XXIV By following the method described in Example I, 2 gr. of 3 acetoxy 20-ethylenedioxy-A -l9-nor-pregnen-6 one were reduced with lithium aluminum hydride in tetrahydrofuran solution, to produce 20-ethylenedioxy-A l9-nor-pregnene-3/3,6-diol (mixture of 60 and 6 8-isomers), which upon treatment with aqueous acetic acid gave A -19-nor-pregnadien-3fl-ol-20-one.

In the same manner, the compounds below mentioned (I) were converted successively into the 3B,6-dihydroxy compounds (II) and A -19-nor-pregnadienes (III).

III

1Ga-methy1-3-aceboxy-2Oethylenedioxy-A -19- nor-pregnen 6-one.

3,17-diacetoxy--ethylenedioxy-A -19-norpregnen-G-one.

Acetate of 17,2030,21-bismethylenedioxy A 19-nor-pregnen-3B-oL6-one.

Acetate of 17,20;20,ZI-bisrnethylenedioxy-A 19-nor-pregneu-3 3cl-6,II-dione.

Acetate of A -19-nor-22-isospirosten3B-0l-6- one.

I6a-rnethyl-2Q-ethy1enedioxy-M -19-nor-preg- 1; 17,20;20,2L1)ismethylenedioxy-M -19-n0r-preg- 17,20;20,ZI-Dismethylenedioxy-Afl -1'9-norpregnene-3fi,6,11fl-tr A500) -l9-nor-22-isospirosten-3fl,fi-diol lfia-methyl-A -19-nor-pregnadien-3B-o1-20- one,

16a,17a-isopropylidenedioxy-A -19-nor-pregnadien-SB-ioL'QO-oue.

A -19-nor-pregnadiene-3fl,17a-dio1-20-one solution and water. Drying, evaporation and crystallization of the residue from ether hexane gave the diacetate 4 of 17a-methyl-A -l9-nor-androstadiene-3B,17,8-diol.

Example XXI In accordance with the method described in the foregoing example but using propionic, caproic and enanthic anhydrides as esterifying agents, there were obtained the dipropionate, dicaproate and dienant hate of Not-methyl- A -19-nor-androstadiene-3/3,l7fi-diol.

Example XXII By following the method of Example XX, the compounds below mentioned (I) were esterified with the indicated acid anhydride, to produce the compounds under (II).

Example XXV In accordance with the method described in Example IX, 1 g. of 3-acetoxy-20-ethylenedioxy-A -19-nor-pregnen-6-one was treated with methyl magnesium bromide and the 6-methyl-20-ethylenedioxy-A -19-nor-pregnene-3fl,6-diol thus obtained was reacted with hydrochloric acid in dioxane solution, by following the method of Example X, to produce 6-methyl-A -19-nor-pregnadien-3B-ol-20-one.

In the same manner but using the acetate of 17,20;20, 21-bisrnethylenedioxy-A -19-nor-pregnen-3fl-ol-6 one as starting material, there were obtained 6-methyl-17,20; 20,2l-bismethylenedioxy A500) 19 nor-pregnene-3fi,6- diol and 6-methyl-17,20;20,2l-bismethylenedioxy-A 19-nor-pregnadien-3fi-ol.

I Anhydride II 6,17u-dimethyl-A fl -19-nor-androstadiene iifl,17B-diol. Caproic Digcaproaite {)f 6,17a-dimethyl-A -19-uor-androstadiene- B, 7 8- io 17a-VinyI-A 19-nor-androstadiene'3B,17fl-diol Propionic Dilgropiolnate of l7a-vinyl-A fl -19-nor-androstadlene-3fl,

- 0 17a-ethinyl-A -19-nor-androstadlene-tlfl,l7fl-diol Acetic- Diiaeeitate of 17a-ethinyl-A -19-nor-androstadiene-3fl,17B-

10 3-acetate of 6-Inethy1-17a-vinyl-A fi-lQ-nor-androstadiene- Propionic 3-acetate-l7-propionate of fimethyl-lh-vinyl-n -19-nor- 35,175-(1101. androstadiene-Zlfl,I7B-diol. 3-acetate of G-methyI-Ua-ethinyl-A -19-n0r-androstaF Cyelopentylpropionic- 3-acetate-17-cyclopentylpropionate of fi-methyl-lh-ethinyldiene-3B,17B-d1ol. A -19-n0r-androstadiene-3B,17B-di0l. 3-acetate of 6,17a-dlethlnyl-A -19-n0r-andr0stadiene-3fl, Enanthic B-acetate 17-enanthate of 6,17a-diethinyl-A m) -19-nor-andro- 17 3-di01. stadiene-3fi,17fl-diol.

1 1 We claim: 1. A compound of the following formula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an acyl radical of less than 12 carbon atoms and X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl and lower alkinyl.

2. A -l9-nor-androstadien-3,B-ol-17-one.

3. 6-methyl-A -l9-nor-androstadien-35-01-17-one.

4. 6-vinyl-A -19-nor-androstadien-35-01-17-one.

5. 6-ethinyl-A -19-nor-androstadien-3fl-ol-17-one.

6. A compound of the following formula:

12 10. 170: ethinyl A 19 nor androstadienc- 3,8,17,8-diol.

11. 6 methyl A l9 nor androstadiene- 3,6,17,6-diol.

12. 6,17oc dimethyl A 19 nor androstadiene- 313,17p-diol.

13. 6 methyl 17a vinyl A 19 nor androstadiene-3/3,17,8-diol.

14. 6 methyl 17oz ethinyl A 19 androstadiene-3 13, 17,8-diol.

15. 6 vinyl A 19 nor androstadiene-3fi,17,6- diol.

16. 6 ethinyl A 19 nor androstadiene- 3 3,175-diol.

17. In the process for producing 3fl-hydroxy-A 19-nor steroids selected from the group consisting of the andr-ostane, pregnane and sapogenin series, the step which comprises treating a 3,8,6-dihydroXy-A -19-nor cornpound selected from the group consisting of the androstane, pregnane and sapogenin series with a proton donor.

18. The process in accordance with claim 17 wherein the proton donor is 50% aqueous acetic acid.

19. The process in accordance with claim 17 wherein the proton donor is a strong mineral acid in an inert organic solvent.

20. The process in accordance with claim 19 wherein References Cited by the Examiner Iriarte et al.: J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 81, pp. 436-438 (1959).

Fishman: J. Org. Chem, 28, pp. 1528l530 (1963).

LEWIS GOTTS, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE FOLLOWING FORMULA: 